Since time immemorial laces have been an essencial part of dressing. They are elegant and up the look a notch higher. Not just the clothing but mighty laces have adorn many hats to beautify our home decor. On this International Lace Day we trace the history of laces, their artistic journey and their space in fashion world. The classic look and feel of lace is celebrated annually on International Lace Day.
Laces, a creative work on a piece of cloth by an artist to make the clothing stand out, is considered to have existed since 16th century. It is believed to have first developed in Europe as a decorative piece of fabric.
It could either be made from one thread, which is known as needle lace, or from many threads: bobbin lace. Earlier, the fabric that were used to make laces, however, were restricted to linen and silk. Later, the 19th century saw an evolution in lace making and was created using cotton thread, a more durable thread.
In 1627, an artist Frans Hals painted a portrait of Nicolaes Hasselaer featuring a black garment with a lace collar. Later, in 1976, lace also saw the formation of The Lace Guild, the publication of Pamela Nottingham’s 'The Technique of Bobbin Lace', and the first polystyrene (styrofoam) pillows.
The craft was then industrialised toward the end of the 18th century in Britain. John Heathcoat, an inventor from Britain invented a bobbin net machine in 1809 to reduce the tedious work of lace making more efficient.
By the 20th century, people started taking lace-making as a craft for pleasure rather than a profession.
In the last few years, there has been a resurgence of lace with the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton adorning an exquisitely hand-cut Chantilly lace bridal gown for her wedding to Prince Williams in 2011.
Recently, the Cottagecore fashion wave (also known as Farmcore and Countrycore) of 2021 has seen a revival of vintage lace.
International Lace Day is dedicated to the appreciation and celebration of this delicate form of artistry and the beauty that it brings to the clothing and designing world.
Pick a lace blouse, a skirt with a layer of lace over the top or at the bottom, a lace scarf or a lace collar for any occassion to show up at your best.
